Marking machine



July 7, 1936. C, F. EATON 2,046,872

MARKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet l v I* \1 NN 5 NBD haD n if Il p J- l [ml-[me Cfflg i200,

vJuly 7,1936. C. F. EATON 2,046,872

MARKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 7, 1936. c. F.EATON MARKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 7, 1936.cfF. EATON MARKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 7,1936. c. F. EATON MARKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 8Sheets-Sheet '7 C. F. EATON MARKING MACHINE Filed Jan. 6, 1954 july 7,1936.

July 7, 1936. C, F, EATON i 2,046,872

` MARKING MACHINE' y Filed Jan'. 6, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented July7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MARKING MACHINE Application January6, 1934, Serial No. 705,559

' 16 Claims.v

. This invention relates to machines for marking shoe upper sections andsimilar ypieces or blanks. ,of sheet material, and consists in certainimprovements upon and modifications of' the marking machine shown in myapplication for Letters. Patent of the United States led December 2.,193B, Serial No. 700,665..

Important features ofthe present invention reside in thegimbal join-tsupport of the Workbed, by means of which the work-bed may be yieldinglyrocked in anyv direction, and the use of air pressure to hold thetransfer sheet and the stock on ,the work-.bed when the platenor pressmember israised.

These and' other features will be hereinafter more fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings', Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a markingmachine .embodying the invention;

Fig. 21 is. a side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. l.;

Fig. 3. is a section on line 3--3 of Fig. 1I; Fig. 'i is a front'.elevation. .of tlfie'frontv or free end ofthe platen;

5f is a top plan View oftthe work-bed showing a leather vamp in positionthereon;

lig. .6 is a bottom plan Viewl of said work-bed; Fig. 7 is an edgeviewof a. removable pad' hereinafterV described; Y

Fig. 8 is a side elevati'ompartly broken away, of another embodiment' ofthe invention.;

Fig. 9: is .a vertical section from front to; rear through the machineshown in Fig. .8;

Fig. 10; isa plan view in section on line- 1:0'- l0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section on line Iii-.lili of Fig. 9.; Fig. 12, is a.detail: .showing a plan view of the work-bed support in. the machinel ofFig. 81; and Eig. 1'3. is. a detail: showing' the relation oftheembossing plate, the transfer-sheet andthe blank at o ne stage of the.operation.'

Referring rst to the form of machine shown inligs.. l to 6; the base |10.ofthe machine is adapted to rest upon a bench; ordother suitablesuppnra. Rising from-.the base L0 is an-.upstandineLV tubular? post; .lI formed withVA oppositel aligned circular apertures within` which. ismounted a. transverse pintley I2. The. two ends of pintle I2 prdirect.beyondthe post I I and-.occupyfholesprovided in vopposite sides of aring. t3.' (Figs.A 1,. 3 6). is pivota-llysupprted. byr axiallyalignedtrunnions Marranged, at right; angles to the axislof pintle I2f..The trunnions I'II-pivotally ,I support the workbed I5; which is madewith. a

pair of downwardly` extending lugs IB having holes ISWithin'Which thetrunnions I4 are loosely mounted.

The annular space between ring i3 and base l0 is lled by a ring I'l ofresilient material such as rubber, and the similar'annular spaceVbetween ring I3 and the bottom. of the work-bed I5 is filled withanother ring I8 of rubber or other resilient` material. r

Thus, the work-bed I5 is pivotally supported on thebase to rockuniversally on twohorizontal axes at right angles to each other, formingin effect av gimbal joint, .and the resilient rings I1 and t8 normallyhold the worknbed in a substantially horizontal position but will yieldto permit a slight rocking movement of the Work-bed in any directionwhen pressure is applied during the marking operation.. As indicated inFigs. 1 and' 3. the 'holesill which receive the trunnions IA areslightlyelongated. in a vertical direction so that the bed' I5 can yielddownwardly somewhat under pressure from above- Fastenedl to the frontside of the Works-bed I5 by means. of screws is a bar 2|' which extendsat. each- `end beyond the Work-bed l5 so as to provide projecting arms22'. Another bar 2'4 is fastened to the rear side of Work-bed I5 byscrew-sand the ends of this' bar also. extend beyond the work-bedY toprovide projecting arms 25 horizontally .opposite the projecting arms22. Each arm l22 isv formed upon its top side with an obliquelydisposedv socket. Z6" `(Fig. 1)y within which isl rotatablysupported oneend-` of a spindle 21.. Each arm 25 is formed With a `circular hole 28aligned'. with the bottom of. the.- socket 25 inthe corresponding arm.atv the front of .the machine. The rear end of each spindle 2l isrotatably mountedin one of the holes. 2.8.. Each` spindle 2.1 isVprovided at its front end with a hand wheel orY knob; 29 by'ineansaofwhich it may. bemanu-ally rotated. Each spindle 2-'1 is also' formedVnear' its middle with a longitndinalslot 21.2' .(Fig;.5.) whichextendsethnoughr the.= spindle and isf designed. to receive one.y end ofa. transfer; sheet 31.

The transfer sheet: .3I' may be made of any usuale or suitable thinsheet. material such as papier or fabric impregnated or coated. with atransferableapigmenu which is preferably of a color contrast. with the.color of theleather or other .sheet material to be marked.. With thetransfer sheet 3 Ir attached. at each end to one of the-spindles; 2.1therotationof one of the spindles will wind the transferF sheet thereonin av roll asindicated( at 32 inFig'. l. The transfercsheet 3l extendsfromthe'roll 32- on one spindle across the top of the work-bed |5 to theroll 32 on the other spindle and is supported directly upon the flatworking surface of the work-bed I5. By rotating one spindle 21 or theother the transfer sheet may be adjusted and shifted back and forthacross the work-bed to bring fresh surfaces of the transfer sheet intooperating position as required. In order to hold the spindles againstaccidental rotative displacement duringf the use of the machine afriction brake 33 is provided for each spindle. Each friction brake asherein illustrated comprises a flexible band of leather or otherfriction material looped around the end of spindle 21. The ends of theband are brought together and connected by a coil spring 34 attached at35 to the adjacent bar 24. Each spring 34 is under suflicient tension tohold the brake band 33 in frictional engagement with the end of thespindle. The arms 22 and 25, besides supporting the spindles, serve asguides for the transfer sheet 3| as the sheet is shifted back and forthacross the work-bed 5. When the transfer sheet 3| becomes worn out orexhausted it may be wound entirely on one of the spindles 21 and then bylifting the front end of the spindle from its socket 26 the rear end ofthe spindle may be pulled endwise of its hole 28 and its brake band 33.

The base I0 is made at its rear side with two upwardly extending arms 36(Fig. l) in which are journaled the ends of a horizontally disposedpivot pintle 31, Whose axis is parallel with the axis of pintle I2 andin approximately the same horizontal plane with the top face of work-bed5. Fixed to the pintle 31 is the platen 38, which comprises a body plate39 of generally rectangular shape and of approximately the same size andshape as the top of the work-bed l5 with which it registers when theplaten 38 is swung downwardly during the marking operation. The bodyplate 39 of the platen has a smooth at bottom surface, at opposite sidesof which are a pair of guideways 40. The embossing plate is carried. bya base plate 4| (Fig. 3) which may be slid in and out of the guideways40, the rear edge of the base plate abutting against a stop 42, hereinshown as a bail-shaped member adjustably fastened to the platen by meansof a clamping screw 43. The stop member 42 is made with a slot throughwhich the screw 43 extends as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 sothat the stop members 42 may be adjusted as found necessary for properlypositioning the removable embossing plate.

Secured to the top of the platen 38 are two upwardly and forwardlyextending bracket arms 45 whose free ends are made with circular holes,within which are rotatably mounted trunnions at the ends of the handle46. The handle 46 may be made of a metal core whose ends form thetrunnions and a covering 41V of tubular rubber or other suitablematerial.

The embossing device, as herein illustrated, includes the base plate 4|,an intermediate bolster plate 48 and the embossing plate proper 48 (Fig.3), these three plates being fastened together by eyelets or rivets 50.The embossing plate 49 is made, as usual, of sheet metal on which areformed, as by stamping, a number ofsmall, `generally conical projections5| arranged in lines or groups to delineate the design which is to bemarked on the shoe upper section 52 (Fig. 5) or other blank of sheetmaterial.

The blank 52 is placed upon the transfer sheet 3|, which in turn restsupon the Awork-bed I5,

with its skin side or finished side lowermost and in contact with thetransfer sheet, and is accurately positioned thereon, according to thesize and shape of the blank, by means of the guides or gauges 53 whichare adjusted by set screws 54 on horizontal flanges projecting from thesides of the bars 2| and 24.

After the blank 52 has been properly placed lin position on top of thetransfer sheet 3| so as to register with the embossing plate, the platen38 is manually swung downward until the embossingplate 49 strikesagainst the upper side of blank 52 thereby forcing the markingprojections 5| into the blank 52 and forming therein indentations, theunder sides of which are forced against the transfer sheet and thedesign corresponding to the arrangement of the marking projections 5| ismarked on the under side of the blank.

'When the platen is thus swung down on its pivot against the blank thework-bed l5 will tend to rock slightly on its universal joint supportthereby causing a slight lateral displacement of the work-bed andtransfer sheet with relation to the under surface of the blank. Thisresults in a slight creeping movement between the transfer sheet and theblank to be marked which assists in effecting a clear transfer of thepigment from the transfer sheet to the blank.

After the marking operation has been performed by the downward movementof the platen as just described, the platen may be manually returned toits normal elevated position and is there yieldingly held bytwo leafsprings 55 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3). The platen 38 is made with two cam-shapedhubs 56 against each of which bears the free end of one of the springs55. Each hub 56 is formed with a shoulder 51 which abuts against thefree end of the spring to limit the upward movement of the platen arm.Each cam hub 56 is made with a flat zone 58 against which the leafspring 55 ts flatwise to support the platen yieldingly in its elevatedposition. Each cam hub also has a curved zone 59 concentric with theaxis of pintle 31. The curved or arcuate zone 59 is farther from theaxis of the pintle 31 than the flat zone 58. Therefore, when the platen38 is swung downwardly the leaf springs 55 will be flexed downwardlyuntil the curved zone 59 cornes into position against the springs,

after which the downward movement of the platen 38 will continueuninfluenced by the springs 55 except for the slight frictionalengagement of the springs with the hub. Thus, the initial downwardmovement of the platen 38 is yieldingly resisted by the two springs 55which yieldingly hold the platen aloft; but the latter partV of thestroke of the platen is substantially free of the resistance of thesprings 55 and is wholly under the control of the operator through thehandle 41 by which the operator may regulate the force of the markingblow according to his ,'ljudgment.

Whenthe platen 38 starts to swing upwardly after the marking operationthe blank 52 tends to stick to the projections 5| of the embossing plateand the transfer sheet 3| also tends to stick to the blank 52. Ihere isthus a tendency for the platen 38 to pull the transfer sheet up and awayfrom the work-bed. To counteract this tendency pneumatic means areprovided for holding the transfer sheet in position on the work-bed byair pressure when the platen is moved away from the work-bed. Referringto Figs. 3 and 5 the work-bed I5 is provided with an aperture or 75'series of apertures, herein shown' as slots 6I sep? aratedby crossbars. These apertures open into a closed chamber defined byV the ringsI3, II and I8 and this chamber is in turn in communication with theinterior of the tubular hubil I. Instead of the slots 6I, perforationsof any form might be used providedxthe perforated or foraininate area issuch as to provide adequate support for the transfer sheet. If theapertures are too large the transfer sheet, which has very slightself-sustaining capacity, will tend' to sag or bulge into the apertures.By making the `apertures small enough, the foraminate area of theworkbed itself may be used tosupport theI transfer sheet; but it ispreferable to make the apertures in 'the work-bed of reasonablylargefsize and cover them with a foraminatesheetha'ving much smallerperforations. For this purpose the vto'p surface of the work-bed I5 isslightlyrecessed in thearea of the slots 6I and the recessed area ispreferably surrounded by an annular groove 62. A sheet of foraminatematerial, such vas fine mesh woven wire'fabric or perforated sheetmaterial 63 is placed inthe recess over the aper tures 6I, the recessbeing only sufficient in depth to bring the exposed or .top surfaceof;theyfora'my inate sheet 63 substantially flush withthe surface of therest of the bed-plate. The .foraminate sheet 63 may be held in positionin any suitable way, as by moulding or bending it'sp'eriph-Y ery into anannular flange whichf'i's secured -in the' groove-62 by means of aring'ld.v f The interior of the tubular post II opens into one end of aconduit G5 formed :in the base, I0. The other end of the conduit 65communicates with the lower end-f an exhaust pumptcylinder 66 containinga piston `II. Within thecylinder B6 is a coil spring 68 which rests atits lower end on the cylinder head and vabuts at its upper end againstthe piston 31. The jpiston'l .is made with an upwardly extending stem 69which is pressed and held by spring 'against'the end of an arm 'I0 xedto the pivoted spindle. 35`Ifof the platen 38. The base I0 is alsoprovided with a port II,.the inner end o f which *communicates with theconduit 65 and the outer' end of=which is'. controlled by. a gravityoperated check valve 12;

When the platen 38 is swungfdownwardly for the marking stroke the arm'IIJ acts 'through stem 69 to push the piston 61 downwardly in thecylinder; During this downward movement Ythe air in the cylinder andconduit 'displaced by the piston is'discharged through port 1I past thecheck valve 'I2. When the plateni38, is v'swung upwardly after themarking operationthe arm .'IU rises and the piston 61 is forcedupwardlyby the spring B8, thereby exhausting 'air through the apertures6I and conduit 65', the-check valve 12 being held closed by gravity andlair pressure.' The transfer sheet 3I will thereforeabe..y held rmly byatmospheric air pressure vagainst the foraminate sheet 63 covering theapertures 6I. Thus the rtransfer sheet will .'be. pneumatically heldagainst being pulled up away from the work-bed when the platen israised. A small vent I3 4'may be provided at thelowerl end of thecylinder 66 to permit the piston B-'I torise under the-influence ofspring 68 during the-air exhausting stroke. When the piston reaches thelimit of its upward movementit uncovers large vent` ports 14, positionednear the top of the cylinder, to equalize the air pressure within'andwithout the cylinder. s The"piston'spring 68 alsoacts in-whole'or inpartto counterbalance the Weight of the platen 38. f

Instead of mounting the embossing plate on the platen as shown in Fig.3, it may be removed and the pad structure shown in Fig. '7. may besubstituted. The base plate 4 I, like the base plate to which theembossing plate is attached, is adapted to slide yin and out of theguideways 40 on the platen. Secured tothe bottomfface of the base plate4I (Fig. '7) is a pad 60 of rubber or'other suitable material. In usingthis `structure the gauges 53 are dispensed with, the blank 52 is laidon the transfer sheet as before, anunmounted or unattachedembossingplate like 49 is laid on the blank with itsedges registering with theedges of the blank and then theplaten carrying the pad 6i! is swung downon the parts thus assembled to performv the marking operation.

Referring now to the modifications shown in Figs. 8 to 12, the work-bed|00 Ais provided upon its Vunder side with a depending central boss IDI,which is of generally pyramidal form and has four slightly convexedsides. The boss IDI extends into the open top of a tubularvorsocket-like post m2 on the base of the machine to'hold the work-bed inposition on the base while permitting'it to rock slightly in anydirection. The work-bed is supported on four spring-pressed plungers I03 mounted in sockets'in the top of post |02 so that the work-bed isyieldingly held level but is free both to move downwardly and to rockuniversally in any direction under the pressure ofthe platen. A numberof work-positioning guides or gauges |94, similar -toguides 53 in theother form of machine, are adjustably fixed to the top of the work-bedby means f set screws.

The platen |65 is provided at opposite sides of its rear edge withrearwardly, extending lugs or arms |86 made with holes to receive'theypintle 4 rod IUI to which the arms'are rigidly fastened by means ofpins IBB, The pintle rod `Il?? is journaled in bearings providedon thebase frame Yof the machine. Each lug I 36 is made with a downwardlyextending arm |09, which c arries a' roll I`I0at its lower end.k Theroll III! cooperates With the nose of a .latch III. l Each latch III yisweighted and is loosely pivotedon a cross rod II2. Each latch III'isalso made with a forwardly extending operating arm` II,3 positioned atthe side of work-bed IBI). y. p

Nearv the middle of ,the pintle rod ID'I is fixed a depending arm II4(Fig. l0), to the lower'end of which is swiveled a sleeve or collar II5.The collar II slides ona rod IIG, which pivotally mounted to swing oncross rod II2. A buffer spring II'I is carried by rod IIS, and abuts atone end against a nut II8, adjustably screwed on the free end of rod IIBand locked in adjustedv position by means of a lock lnut IIS. The bufferspring cushions the end of the marking stroke of the platen. v

When the platen I05 is in elevated position'it is supported in thatposition by the latches III, one at each side ofthe machine. .If theforward arms I I3 of both latches are depressed the platen is releasedland swings downwardly by gravity, assisted if desired by a spring |20,which bears at one end against-the collar II5 and at its other endagainst a nut on rod I I6. The buiferispring III is so adjusted on rodIIS as to regulate the force of the blow struck by the platen on thework W to secure the proper degree of force to produce the desiredintensity of marking. f

It is a feature of safety of this form of the invention that the platen|05 can not be operated to swing down on the work-bed unless both latcharms H3 are simultaneously depressed. Since these arms are at oppositesides of the machine the operator must use both hands to operate the twoarms I I3 at the same time, and it is therefore practically impossiblefor the descending platen to catch his hand between the platen and thework-bed.

In this form of machine the transfer sheet |22 is carried by the platen|05, instead of by the work-bed, and is connected to two spindles |23journaled in bearings at opposite sides of the platen. The transfersheet extends from one spindle to the other, across the under face ofthe platen and underneath the embossing plate |24, which is removablycarried by the platen. Brake springs |25 xed to the platen yieldinglypress against the rolls of transfer sheet on spindles |23 and hold thespindles against accidental rotative displacement. The transfer sheetmay be manually fed or adjusted by means of handles |25 on spindles |23.By turning one of the handles |25 after a marking operation not only isthe transfer sheet shifted to present a new surface for the nextoperation, but if the transfer sheet sticks to the embossing plate |22after a marking operation, as sometimes happens, the manual adjustmentof the transfer sheet will disengage the sheet from the embossing plate.The active stretch of the transfer sheet between the spindles isnormally spaced a short distance below the embossing plate, as bestshown in Figs. 8 and ll, by rollers |26, carried by spring pressedplungers |21 mounted on the platen |05. At the moment of making themarking blow the transfer sheet yields and moves back against theembossing plate. Fig. 13 shows the relative positions of the work-bed|00, the work W, the transfer sheet |22, the embossing plate |24 and theplaten |05 just as the platen is about to close down on the work duringthe marking stroke.

The buffer spring may be dispensed with, but it is desirable when theweight of the platen is such as to strike too violent a blow unlesschecked. The spring |20 may also be dispensed with if the weight of theplaten alone is sufficient to insure a marking stroke of the desiredforce.l

The adjustable stop screw |40 (Fig. 9) mounted on the work-bed |00limits the downward movement of the platen and prevents the embossingplate from striking the work-bed in case no work is on the work-bed. Innormal operation it will usually not function, although it might be soadjusted as to control the depths of the impression on the blank.

I claim:

1. A marking machine comprising a base, a work-bed pivotally supportedon the base to rock thereon in any direction, a movable platen mountedon the base to move downwardly into marking relation to the work-bed andupwardly away from the work-bed, means urging said platen to swingdownwardly against said work-bed, and a pair of manually releasablelatch members disposed one on each side of said work-bed, each of saidlatch members being operative to hold the platen in elevated position,said platen being operative to swing downwardly against said workbedonly upon the simultaneous release of said latch members.

2. A marking machine comprising a base, a work-bed pivotally supportedon the base to rock thereon in any direction, means yieldingly to holdthe work-bed in a substantially horizontal position, a movable platenmounted on the base to move downwardly into marking relation to thework-bed and upwardly away from the work-bed, means urging said platento swing downwardly against said work-bed, and a pair of latch membersdisposed one on each side of said workbed and each operative to hold theplaten in elevated position, said platen being operative to l0 swingdownwardly against said work-md only upon the simultaneous release ofsaid latch members.

3. A marking machine comprising a base, a work-bed pivotally supportedon the base to rock l5 thereon in any direction, means yieldingly tohold the work-bed in a substantially horizontal position, a platenpivotally supported on the base on an axis approximately parallel andcoincident with the normal plane of the face of the platen, means urgingsaid platen to swing downwardly against said work-bed, and a pair oflatch members disposed one on each side of said workbed and eachoperative to hold the platen in elevated position, said platen beingoperative to 25 swing downwardly against said work-bed only upon thesimultaneous release of said latch members.

4. A marking machine comprising a base, a work-bed pivotally supportedon the base to rock 30 on two horizontal axes at right angles to eachother, means yieldingly to hold the work-bed in a substantiallyhorizontal position, a platen pivotally supported on the base on an axissubstantially parallel with one of the two axes of the work-bed, meansurging said platen to swing downwardly against said work-bed, and a pairof latch members disposed one on each side of said work-bed and eachoperative to hold the platen in elevated position, said platen beingoperative to swing downwardly against said workbed only upon thesimultaneous release of said latch members.

5. A marking machine comprising a base, a work-bed pivotally supportedon the base to rock on two horizontal axes at right angles to eachother, .means yieldingly to hold the work-bed in a substantiallyhorizontal position, a platen pivotally supported on the base on an axisapproximately parallel and coincident with the normal plane of the faceof the platen and substantially parallel with one of the two axes of theworkbed, means urging said platen to swing downwardly against saidwork-bed, and a pair of latch members disposed one on each side of saidwork- 55 bed and each operative to hold the platen in elevated position,said platen being operative to swing downwardly against said work-bedonly upon the simultaneous release of said latch members.

6. A marking machine comprising two press members relatively movable onetoward and away from the other, one of said press members having anaperture through its working surface, a conduit communicating with saidaperture, and means associated with one of said members and operative inresponse to the movement of one press member away from the other toexhaust air through said aperture and conduit.

'7. A marking machine comprising a work-bed, a'platen movable toward andfrom the work-bed, a transfer sheet supported upon the work-bed, andpneumatic means associated with said platen and operative to hold thetransfer sheet in posi- 75 tion on the work-bed by air pressure when theplaten is moved away from the work-bed.

8. A marking machine comprising a work-bed, a platen movable toward andfrom the work-bed, said work-bed having an aperture opening through itsworking surface, a conduit communieating with said aperture, and meansassociated with said platen and operative in response to the movement ofthe platen away from theK workbed to exhaust air through said apertureand conduit.

9. A marking machine comprising a work-bed, a platen movable toward andfrom the work-bed, the working surfae of said work-bed having aforaminate area capable of supporting a sheet, a conduit communicatingwith the apertures of said foraminate area, and means associated withsaid platen and operative in response to the movement of the platen awayfrom the work-bed to exhaust air through said apertures and conduit.

10. A marking machine comprising a work-bed, a platen movable toward andfrom the work-bed, the working surface of said work-bed having, a flatforaminate area capable of supporting a sheet, a pair of spindlesrotatably mounted on the work-bed, one at each edge thereof, a transfersheet having its opposite ends connected to said spindles and extendingacross the work-bed between said spindles and directly supported by thework-bed, a conduit communicating with the apertures of said foraminatearea, and means controlled by the movement of the platen away from thework-bed to exhaust air through said apertures and conduit.

11. A marking machine comprising a work-bed, a platen movable toward andfrom the work-bed, the working face of said work-bed being provided witha number of apertures, a sheet of foraminate material covering saidapertures, a transfer sheet supported by said foraminate sheet, aconduit communicating with said apertures, and means to exhaust airthrough said foraminate sheet, said apertures and said conduit.

12. A marking machine comprising a work-bed, a platen movable toward andfrom the work-bed,

the working surface of said work-bed being provided with a number ofapertures, a sheet of foraminate material covering said apertures, theapertured area of the work-bed being recessed and the foraminate sheetbeing disposed in the recess with its exposed side substantially flushwith the surrounding surface of the work-bed, a transfer sheet supportedby said foramin ate sheet, a conduit communicating with said apertures,and means to exhaust air through said foraminate sheet, said aperturesand said conduit.

13. A marking machine comprising a base, a work-bed supported on thebase, a platen pivoted on the base to swing toward and from thewo-rkbed, and a manually releasable latch on each side of said work-bedoperative to hold the platen in open or elevated position, said platenbeing operative to swing downwardly against said workbed only upon thesimultaneous release of each latch.

14. A marking machine comprising two press members relatively movableone toward and away from the other and pneumatic means associated withone of said members and operative to hold a sheet in position againstone of said press members in response to relative movement of said pressmembers away from each other.

15. A marking machine comprising two press members relatively movableone toward and away from the other, one of said press members having anaperture through its working surface, a conduit communicating with saidaperture, and means associated with one of said members and operative inresponse to relative movement of said press members away from each otherto

